Device for applying liquids.



No. 780,768. PATENTED JAN. 24, 1905- W. WIGGINS.

DEVICE FOR APPLYING L US.

A-PPLIOATION FILED MAY 31,

NITED STATES Patented January 24, 1905.

ATENT DrrIcE.

DEVICE FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 780,768, dated January24, 1905.

' Application filed May 31, 1904;. Serial No. 210,377.

To a whom it may concern:

Beit known that I. WILLIAM Wrssms, acitizen of the United States,residing in Brockton, county of Plymouth, and State of Massachusetts,have invented an Improvement in Devices for Applying Liquids, of whichthe following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing,is a specification, like letters on the drawing representing like parts.

The present invention relates to a device for applying a fluid orliquid, such as cement, to the surface of an article, such as the bottomof a shoe to which a sole is to be cemented, the surface of which ismore or less rounded or convex, the convexity differing in differentparts, so that the surface is not regular.

The applying device embodying the invention is in the form of a roll;and the object of the invention is to construct the roll so that thesurface thereof will conform to the surface of the article to which thecement is to be applied regardless of the shape thereof. Taking, forexample, the bottom of a shoe, the surface thereof is much less convexin the main portion than in the shank and is also irregular in shape,and in order that an even amount of cement may be applied throughout itis necessary that the surface of the roll should be of such a nature asto conform to different shapes according to the shape of the surfacewith which it is in contact. It is further desirable that the roll whenin normal condition should be substantially cylindrical, so that thecement will be taken up thereby in a film of substantially uniformthickness,

controlled, for example, by ascraper-blade set at any desired distancefrom the surface of the roll.

To these ends the roll embodying the present invention is provided witha flexible surface or carrying portion for the liquid, which portion isstretched over a suitable core, being supported only along the edges,the core having a concave surface to permit the carrying portion toyield. As herein shown, the carrying portion is secured by supportingmembers, which consist of extensible annular bands, such as endlessrings of coiled or spiral springs which rest upon inclined shouldersformed on the core, the flexible carrying portion being stretched overthe said springs in the form of a flattened tube, so that when pressureis brought to bear upon said flexible portion the springs will roll upthe inclined surface, allowing the flexible portion to yield. As soon,however, as the pressure is released the springs by contracting willreturn to their normal position, again stretching the flexible carryingportion, so that the surface of the roll in its normal condition issubstantially cylindrical.

The drawing is a longitudinal section of an applying-roll embodying theinvention.

The supporting-core a or body of the roll is shown as a casting mountedon a spindle (0 so that the said roll can be rotatably mounted in anysuitable way and partially immersed in the fluid or liquid which is tobe distributedsuch, for example, as liquid cement to be applied toshoe-bottoms, for which purpose the article embodying the invention ismainly adapted. The said core is secured on the spindle by a set-screw aand has a con cave surface a, so as to permit the yielding cover orcarrying portion 6 to move or yield inwardly, the said cover beingstretched across the core, as shown, so as normally to form asubstantially cylindrical outer surface for the roll. The said cover ismade of any suitable flexible materialsuch, for example, as canvas orother fabric which is capable of taking up the cement fordistributionand is shown as provided with yielding means for maintainingit stretched when no pressure is applied to the surface. As hereinshown, the said yielding means comprise extensible annular members csuch, for example, as endless spiral springs which normally rest againstinclined shoulders a formed at or near the ends of the core a, it beingobvious that if the said spiral springs are drawn inward toward themiddle of the core they will be stretched and on contracting will tendto move back along the shoulders (0 where the diameter is less.

The cover 5 is in the form of a flattened tube extending around theannular members 0, so that the said tube is stretched across from end.'to end of the core, but is capable of-yielding inwardly, as indicatedin dotted lines, the annular members rolling up the shoulders a so thatthe outer portion of the tube can be pressed toward the core. As hereinshown, the canvas of which the distributing-surface is made is drawnaround the annular members and the ends stitched together on the inside,as indicated at 6 While, therefore, the carrying or distributing surfaceof the roll is normally substantially cylindrical and capable of beingsupplied with a uniform iilm of cement, the said surface is capable ofyielding and conforming to a surface of any degree of convexity, themanner in which the said surface yields being illustrated in dottedlines, where the members care shown as pulled up along the inclinedshoulders (4 against the tendency of said members to contract and movetoward the point of smallest diameter. In order to prevent any liabilityof the slipping of the annular members 0 from the core at the ends incase the pressure upon the distributing portion is un-- equally applied,the core is provided with additional shoulders at, inclined upward fromthe normal seating position of the annular members, the said seatingposition being between the shoulders a and a, as shown.

What I claim is- 1. A fluid-applying roll comprising a supporting-core;a flexible fluid carrying or distributing portion in the form of aflattened tube; and extensible annular members within said tube, saidcore being provided with inclined shoulders or seats for said annularmembers, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a supporting-core; of two inclined shoulders ateach end of said core, the said shoulders together forming a concaveseating portion; annular flexible members supported on said seatingportion; and a flexible fluid-distributing portion in the form of a tubestretched over the said annular extensible members, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM WIGGINS.

Witnesses:

MARGARET E. GOVENEY, HENRY J. LIVERMORE.

